Genesis 32:6

The messengers went and gave that message to Esau. When they returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your older brother Esau. Now he is coming to you, and 400 men are coming with him.”

Translation for Translators

In The King James Version

And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.

In Context

5I now own many cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, and male and female slaves. Now I am sending this message to you, sir, hoping that you will ◄be friendly toward me/treat me kindly► when I arrive.’ “

7Jacob was very afraid and worried. So he divided the people who were with him into two groups. He also divided the sheep and goats, the cattle, and the camels, into two groups.

Read all of Genesis 32

Cross References

Genesis 27:40You will rob and kill people [MTY] in order to get what you need to live, and you will be as though you are your brother’s slave. But when you decide to rebel against him, you will ◄free yourself from/no longer be under► his control.”

Genesis 32:8He was thinking, “If Esau and his men come and attack us, perhaps one of the groups will be left and will be able to escape.”

Genesis 33:1Then Jacob joined the rest of his family. Later that day Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming, and there were 400 men with him. Jacob was worried because of that, so he separated the children. He put Leah’s children with Leah, Rachel’s children with Rachel, and the two female slaves’ children with their mothers.

Genesis 33:15Esau said, “Then allow me to leave with you some of the men who came with me, to protect you.” But Jacob replied, “◄Why do that?/There is no need to do that!► [RHQ] The only thing that I want is for you to act friendly toward me.”

Genesis 47:25They replied, “You have saved our lives! We want you to be pleased with us. And we will be the king’s slaves.”

Ruth 2:13She replied, “Sir, I hope you will continue to act kindly toward me. You have comforted/encouraged me, even though I am lower in status than any of your servant girls.”

Matthew Henry on Genesis 32:4-9

3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight. 6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 32:6